Cheap Car Insurance in Washington, D.C., for 2024

Erie offers the cheapest car insurance in Washington, D.C., with an average annual rate of $1,312 for full coverage.
Updated
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Written by Ben Moore
Assistant Assigning Editor

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Auto insurance is an important purchase, but finding cheap car insurance in Washington, D.C. isn’t always easy. The best way to find cheap car insurance is to compare rates from multiple insurers.

The cheapest car insurance company in Washington, D.C. is Erie at $1,138 per year on average, or $95 per month, according to the most recent NerdWallet analysis of full coverage car insurance rates in Washington, D.C. . Meanwhile, the average cost of full coverage car insurance in Washington, D.C. is $1,737 per year, or about $145 per month.

Minimum coverage in Washington, D.C. is $859 per year on average, but we found you can likely get a cheaper policy. For example, Chubb offers the cheapest rates in Washington, D.C. at $319 per year, on average, for minimum coverage car insurance for a 35-year-old driver with a clean driving record.

How we chose the cheapest companies in Washington, D.C.

NerdWallet’s editorial team analyzed car insurance rates from 8 auto insurers in Washington, D.C. and listed the five cheapest options for drivers in several age brackets and with different histories, all driving a 2020 Toyota Camry L. For minimum coverage, we looked at rates that reflect the minimum requirements in Washington, D.C.. For full coverage, we used the below coverage limits:

  • $100,000 bodily injury liability per person.

  • $300,000 bodily injury liability per accident.

  • $50,000 property damage liability per accident.

  • $100,000 uninsured motorist coverage per person.

  • $300,000 uninsured motorist coverage per accident.

  • Collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible.

  • Comprehensive coverage with a $1,000 deductible.

Our writers and editors follow strict editorial guidelines to ensure fairness and accuracy in our writing and data analyses. You can trust the prices we show you because our data analysts take rigorous measures to eliminate outliers and inaccuracies in pricing data, which include rates from every locale in Washington, D.C. where coverage is offered and data is available. When comparing rates for different coverage amounts, ages and backgrounds, we change only one variable at a time, so you can easily see how each factor affects pricing.

Cheapest for 20-year-old drivers

Drivers in their 20s may have to get a lot of quotes to find the best cheap car insurance. Prices can be sky-high for younger 20-somethings, but tend to come down as drivers get more experience on the road. Still, some companies routinely have better insurance rates for young drivers, so it's best to shop around to find them.

Cheapest full coverage car insurance in Washington, D.C. for 20-year-olds

Drivers in Washington, D.C. with clean driving records may want to consider the following companies, which had the lowest average rates:

  1. Erie: $2,310 per year, or about $192 per month.
  2. Geico: $2,834 per year, or about $236 per month.
  3. Chubb: $3,465 per year, or about $289 per month.
  4. Progressive: $3,656 per year, or about $305 per month.
  5. Nationwide: $4,879 per year, or about $407 per month.

Cheapest minimum coverage car insurance in Washington, D.C. for 20-year-olds

Drivers in Washington, D.C. who want just the state minimum coverage may want to check with these companies, which had the lowest average rates:

  1. Chubb: $586 per year, or about $49 per month.
  2. Erie: $1,005 per year, or about $84 per month.
  3. Geico: $1,068 per year, or about $89 per month.
  4. Progressive: $2,244 per year, or about $187 per month.
  5. Allstate: $2,275 per year, or about $190 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in Washington, D.C. for 20-year-olds with poor credit

Drivers with poor credit in Washington, D.C. should look at the following insurers with the lowest average rates for minimum coverage:

  1. Chubb: $846 per year, or about $70 per month.
  2. Geico: $2,054 per year, or about $171 per month.
  3. Erie: $2,420 per year, or about $202 per month.
  4. Allstate: $2,977 per year, or about $248 per month.
  5. Nationwide: $3,930 per year, or about $327 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in Washington, D.C. for 20-year-old drivers with one speeding ticket

For drivers with a recent speeding ticket in Washington, D.C. , here are the companies with the lowest average rates for minimum coverage:

  1. Chubb: $629 per year, or about $52 per month.
  2. Erie: $1,224 per year, or about $102 per month.
  3. Geico: $1,254 per year, or about $104 per month.
  4. Allstate: $2,383 per year, or about $199 per month.
  5. Progressive: $2,651 per year, or about $221 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in Washington, D.C. for 20-year-old drivers with one at-fault crash

For drivers with a recent accident in Washington, D.C. , here are the companies with the lowest average rates for minimum coverage:

  1. Chubb: $726 per year, or about $60 per month.
  2. Erie: $1,192 per year, or about $99 per month.
  3. Geico: $1,379 per year, or about $115 per month.
  4. Progressive: $2,810 per year, or about $234 per month.
  5. Nationwide: $2,925 per year, or about $244 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in Washington, D.C. for 20-year-old drivers after a DUI

The cheapest auto insurance we found after a DUI is shown here, alongside the insurers' average rates for minimum coverage.

  1. Chubb: $986 per year, or about $82 per month.
  2. Geico: $1,486 per year, or about $124 per month.
  3. Erie: $1,537 per year, or about $128 per month.
  4. Progressive: $2,516 per year, or about $210 per month.
  5. Allstate: $2,865 per year, or about $239 per month.

Cheapest for 30-year-old drivers

By the time they reach their 30s, most drivers will enjoy cheaper car insurance rates than in their teens and 20s. Still, factors like a person’s driving record and car make and model can increase prices. Drivers in their 30s can get lower rates by shopping around and taking advantage of any car insurance discounts.

Cheapest full coverage car insurance in Washington, D.C. for 30-year-olds

Drivers in Washington, D.C. who want their state's minimum coverage can check with the following companies, which had the lowest average rates:

  1. Erie: $1,195 per year, or about $100 per month.
  2. Progressive: $1,705 per year, or about $142 per month.
  3. Chubb: $1,771 per year, or about $148 per month.
  4. Geico: $1,804 per year, or about $150 per month.
  5. Nationwide: $2,249 per year, or about $187 per month.

Cheapest minimum coverage car insurance in Washington, D.C. for 30-year-olds

Drivers in Washington, D.C. who want their state's minimum coverage can check with the following companies, which had the lowest average rates:

  1. Chubb: $319 per year, or about $27 per month.
  2. Erie: $526 per year, or about $44 per month.
  3. Geico: $672 per year, or about $56 per month.
  4. Progressive: $1,095 per year, or about $91 per month.
  5. Nationwide: $1,117 per year, or about $93 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in Washington, D.C. for 30-year-olds with poor credit

Drivers with poor credit in Washington, D.C. should consider the following companies with the lowest average rates for full coverage:

  1. Chubb: $2,547 per year, or about $212 per month.
  2. Erie: $2,804 per year, or about $234 per month.
  3. Geico: $3,214 per year, or about $268 per month.
  4. Nationwide: $3,254 per year, or about $271 per month.
  5. Progressive: $3,461 per year, or about $288 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in Washington, D.C. for 30-year-old drivers with one speeding ticket

For drivers with a recent speeding ticket in Washington, D.C. , here are the companies with the lowest average rates for minimum coverage:

  1. Chubb: $361 per year, or about $30 per month.
  2. Erie: $549 per year, or about $46 per month.
  3. Geico: $799 per year, or about $67 per month.
  4. Nationwide: $1,301 per year, or about $108 per month.
  5. Progressive: $1,335 per year, or about $111 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in Washington, D.C. for 30-year-old drivers with one at-fault crash

For drivers in Washington, D.C. with a recent accident, here are the lowest average rate options for full coverage:

  1. Erie: $1,576 per year, or about $131 per month.
  2. Chubb: $2,569 per year, or about $214 per month.
  3. Geico: $2,579 per year, or about $215 per month.
  4. Progressive: $2,703 per year, or about $225 per month.
  5. Nationwide: $3,227 per year, or about $269 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in Washington, D.C. for 30-year-old drivers after a DUI

For the cheapest auto insurance after a DUI, we found the following options for full coverage.

  1. Erie: $1,897 per year, or about $158 per month.
  2. Progressive: $1,926 per year, or about $161 per month.
  3. Geico: $3,044 per year, or about $254 per month.
  4. Nationwide: $4,217 per year, or about $351 per month.
  5. Chubb: $4,312 per year, or about $359 per month.

Cheapest for 40-year-old drivers

Drivers in their 40s tend to have better insurance rates than their younger counterparts on average, but still pay more than older age groups. Shopping around for cheap car insurance quotes with multiple insurers is the best way to find lower rates. Good drivers who don’t get behind the wheel often might want to consider pay-per-mile insurance, which charges drivers by how many miles they drive.

Cheapest full coverage car insurance in Washington, D.C. for 40-year-olds

Drivers in Washington, D.C. with clean driving records may want to think about the following companies, which had the lowest average rates:

  1. Erie: $1,083 per year, or about $90 per month.
  2. Progressive: $1,622 per year, or about $135 per month.
  3. Geico: $1,733 per year, or about $144 per month.
  4. Chubb: $1,771 per year, or about $148 per month.
  5. Nationwide: $2,245 per year, or about $187 per month.

Cheapest minimum coverage car insurance in Washington, D.C. for 40-year-olds

Drivers in Washington, D.C. who want just the minimum coverage may want to check prices from these companies, which had the lowest average rates:

  1. Chubb: $319 per year, or about $27 per month.
  2. Erie: $478 per year, or about $40 per month.
  3. Geico: $666 per year, or about $56 per month.
  4. Progressive: $1,062 per year, or about $88 per month.
  5. Nationwide: $1,117 per year, or about $93 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in Washington, D.C. for 40-year-olds with poor credit

Drivers with poor credit in Washington, D.C. can check out the following insurers with the lowest average rates for full coverage:

  1. Erie: $2,546 per year, or about $212 per month.
  2. Chubb: $2,547 per year, or about $212 per month.
  3. Geico: $3,119 per year, or about $260 per month.
  4. Nationwide: $3,227 per year, or about $269 per month.
  5. Progressive: $3,311 per year, or about $276 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in Washington, D.C. for 40-year-old drivers with one speeding ticket

For drivers with a recent speeding ticket in Washington, D.C. , here are the companies with the lowest average rates for minimum coverage:

  1. Chubb: $361 per year, or about $30 per month.
  2. Erie: $500 per year, or about $42 per month.
  3. Geico: $792 per year, or about $66 per month.
  4. Nationwide: $1,289 per year, or about $107 per month.
  5. Progressive: $1,297 per year, or about $108 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in Washington, D.C. for 40-year-old drivers with one at-fault crash

For drivers with a recent accident living in Washington, D.C. , here are the companies with the lowest average rates for full coverage:

  1. Erie: $1,425 per year, or about $119 per month.
  2. Geico: $2,487 per year, or about $207 per month.
  3. Chubb: $2,569 per year, or about $214 per month.
  4. Progressive: $2,595 per year, or about $216 per month.
  5. Nationwide: $3,207 per year, or about $267 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in Washington, D.C. for 40-year-old drivers after a DUI

The cheapest full coverage auto insurance we found for drivers with a DUI came from the following companies.

  1. Erie: $1,717 per year, or about $143 per month.
  2. Progressive: $1,841 per year, or about $153 per month.
  3. Geico: $2,981 per year, or about $248 per month.
  4. Nationwide: $4,205 per year, or about $350 per month.
  5. Chubb: $4,312 per year, or about $359 per month.

Cheapest for 50-year-old drivers

Drivers in their 50s have cheaper car insurance rates than most other age groups on average. Prices will continue to drop as they inch toward their 60s and gain more driving experience. Rates can still vary depending on other factors such as a driver’s gender and location, so it’s smart to shop around to find the best rate. Our list of cheap auto insurance companies is a good place to start.

Cheapest full coverage car insurance in Washington, D.C. for 50-year-olds

Drivers in Washington, D.C. with clean driving records may want to get quotes from these insurers, which had the lowest average rates:

  1. Erie: $956 per year, or about $80 per month.
  2. Progressive: $1,525 per year, or about $127 per month.
  3. Chubb: $1,686 per year, or about $141 per month.
  4. Geico: $1,714 per year, or about $143 per month.
  5. Nationwide: $2,156 per year, or about $180 per month.

Cheapest minimum coverage car insurance in Washington, D.C. for 50-year-olds

Drivers in Washington, D.C. who opt for the state minimum coverage may want to consider the following companies, with the lowest average rates:

  1. Chubb: $305 per year, or about $25 per month.
  2. Erie: $426 per year, or about $36 per month.
  3. Geico: $666 per year, or about $56 per month.
  4. Progressive: $1,016 per year, or about $85 per month.
  5. Nationwide: $1,071 per year, or about $89 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in Washington, D.C. for 50-year-olds with poor credit

Drivers with poor credit in Washington, D.C. can check with the following companies, which showed the lowest average rates for full coverage:

  1. Erie: $2,258 per year, or about $188 per month.
  2. Chubb: $2,421 per year, or about $202 per month.
  3. Nationwide: $3,087 per year, or about $257 per month.
  4. Progressive: $3,122 per year, or about $260 per month.
  5. Geico: $3,194 per year, or about $266 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in Washington, D.C. for 50-year-old drivers with one speeding ticket

For drivers with a recent speeding ticket in Washington, D.C., here are the companies with the lowest average rates for minimum coverage:

  1. Chubb: $348 per year, or about $29 per month.
  2. Erie: $445 per year, or about $37 per month.
  3. Geico: $792 per year, or about $66 per month.
  4. Nationwide: $1,249 per year, or about $104 per month.
  5. Progressive: $1,270 per year, or about $106 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in Washington, D.C. for 50-year-old drivers with one at-fault crash

For drivers living in Washington, D.C. with a recent accident, here are the insurers with the lowest average full coverage rates:

  1. Erie: $1,270 per year, or about $106 per month.
  2. Geico: $2,479 per year, or about $207 per month.
  3. Chubb: $2,479 per year, or about $207 per month.
  4. Progressive: $2,570 per year, or about $214 per month.
  5. Nationwide: $3,122 per year, or about $260 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in Washington, D.C. for 50-year-old drivers after a DUI

The cheapest auto insurance we found for drivers with a recent DUI comes from the following companies, listed with rates for full coverage.

  1. Erie: $1,539 per year, or about $128 per month.
  2. Progressive: $1,757 per year, or about $146 per month.
  3. Geico: $3,450 per year, or about $287 per month.
  4. Nationwide: $4,112 per year, or about $343 per month.
  5. Chubb: $4,227 per year, or about $352 per month.

Cheapest for 60-year-old drivers

Although 60-year-olds have cheaper car insurance rates than many other age groups on average, prices will start increasing as they get older. To find cheap car insurance for seniors, drivers in their 60s should make sure to shop around to find the best rate. Drivers in this age group should also take advantage of any available discounts for senior citizens.

Cheapest full coverage car insurance in Washington, D.C. for 60-year-olds

Drivers in Washington, D.C. with clean driving records may want to think about getting quotes from these companies, which had the lowest average rates:

  1. Erie: $1,042 per year, or about $87 per month.
  2. Progressive: $1,526 per year, or about $127 per month.
  3. Geico: $1,650 per year, or about $138 per month.
  4. Chubb: $1,686 per year, or about $141 per month.
  5. Nationwide: $2,006 per year, or about $167 per month.

Cheapest minimum coverage car insurance in Washington, D.C. for 60-year-olds

Drivers in Washington, D.C. who want just the state minimum coverage may want to check with these insurers, which had the lowest average rates:

  1. Chubb: $305 per year, or about $25 per month.
  2. Erie: $459 per year, or about $38 per month.
  3. Geico: $666 per year, or about $56 per month.
  4. Nationwide: $997 per year, or about $83 per month.
  5. Progressive: $1,019 per year, or about $85 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in Washington, D.C. for 60-year-olds with poor credit

Drivers with poor credit in Washington, D.C. can look at the following companies with the lowest average rates for full coverage:

  1. Chubb: $2,421 per year, or about $202 per month.
  2. Erie: $2,452 per year, or about $204 per month.
  3. Nationwide: $2,831 per year, or about $236 per month.
  4. Geico: $3,078 per year, or about $257 per month.
  5. Progressive: $3,116 per year, or about $260 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in Washington, D.C. for 60-year-old drivers with one speeding ticket

For drivers with a recent speeding ticket in Washington, D.C. , here are the companies with the lowest average rates for minimum coverage:

  1. Chubb: $348 per year, or about $29 per month.
  2. Erie: $482 per year, or about $40 per month.
  3. Geico: $792 per year, or about $66 per month.
  4. Nationwide: $1,175 per year, or about $98 per month.
  5. Progressive: $1,273 per year, or about $106 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in Washington, D.C. for 60-year-old drivers with one at-fault crash

For drivers with a recent accident living in Washington, D.C. , here are the companies with the lowest average rates for full coverage:

  1. Erie: $1,385 per year, or about $115 per month.
  2. Geico: $2,411 per year, or about $201 per month.
  3. Chubb: $2,479 per year, or about $207 per month.
  4. Progressive: $2,572 per year, or about $214 per month.
  5. Nationwide: $2,942 per year, or about $245 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in Washington, D.C. for 60-year-old drivers after a DUI

The cheapest auto insurance we found after a DUI came from the following companies, shown with their average rates for full coverage.

  1. Erie: $1,678 per year, or about $140 per month.
  2. Progressive: $1,758 per year, or about $147 per month.
  3. Geico: $3,548 per year, or about $296 per month.
  4. Nationwide: $3,932 per year, or about $328 per month.
  5. Chubb: $4,227 per year, or about $352 per month.

Cheapest for 70-year-old drivers

Car insurance costs may start to rise for 70-year-old drivers. To find the cheapest possible coverage, shop around and compare quotes from multiple companies. Also, look for insurers that offer discounts for seniors. For example, some insurers offer discounts to senior drivers who take a defensive driving course.

Cheapest full coverage car insurance in Washington, D.C. for 70-year-olds

Drivers in Washington, D.C. with clean driving records may want to think about getting quotes from these companies, which had the lowest average rates:

  1. Erie: $1,146 per year, or about $96 per month.
  2. Geico: $1,666 per year, or about $139 per month.
  3. Chubb: $1,686 per year, or about $141 per month.
  4. Progressive: $1,722 per year, or about $144 per month.
  5. Nationwide: $2,249 per year, or about $187 per month.

Cheapest minimum coverage car insurance in Washington, D.C. for 70-year-olds

Drivers in Washington, D.C. who want just the state minimum coverage may want to check with these insurers, which had the lowest average rates:

  1. Chubb: $305 per year, or about $25 per month.
  2. Erie: $506 per year, or about $42 per month.
  3. Geico: $751 per year, or about $63 per month.
  4. Progressive: $1,137 per year, or about $95 per month.
  5. Nationwide: $1,146 per year, or about $95 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in Washington, D.C. for 70-year-olds with poor credit

Drivers with poor credit in Washington, D.C. can look at the following companies with the lowest average rates for full coverage:

  1. Chubb: $2,421 per year, or about $202 per month.
  2. Erie: $2,692 per year, or about $224 per month.
  3. Nationwide: $3,244 per year, or about $270 per month.
  4. Progressive: $3,486 per year, or about $290 per month.
  5. Geico: $3,504 per year, or about $292 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in Washington, D.C. for 70-year-old drivers with one speeding ticket

For drivers with a recent speeding ticket in Washington, D.C. , here are the companies with the lowest average rates for minimum coverage:

  1. Chubb: $348 per year, or about $29 per month.
  2. Erie: $529 per year, or about $44 per month.
  3. Geico: $895 per year, or about $75 per month.
  4. Nationwide: $1,329 per year, or about $111 per month.
  5. Progressive: $1,464 per year, or about $122 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in Washington, D.C. for 70-year-old drivers with one at-fault crash

For drivers with a recent accident living in Washington, D.C. , here are the companies with the lowest average rates for full coverage:

  1. Erie: $1,525 per year, or about $127 per month.
  2. Chubb: $2,479 per year, or about $207 per month.
  3. Geico: $2,828 per year, or about $236 per month.
  4. Progressive: $2,940 per year, or about $245 per month.
  5. Nationwide: $3,237 per year, or about $270 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in Washington, D.C. for 70-year-old drivers after a DUI

The cheapest auto insurance we found after a DUI came from the following companies, shown with their average rates for full coverage.

  1. Erie: $1,853 per year, or about $154 per month.
  2. Progressive: $2,078 per year, or about $173 per month.
  3. Geico: $3,958 per year, or about $330 per month.
  4. Nationwide: $4,227 per year, or about $352 per month.
  5. Chubb: $4,227 per year, or about $352 per month.

Cheapest car insurance for military families

If you're an active member of the military or a veteran — or have an immediate family member who is — chances are you'll get a relatively cheap rate with USAA, a company that isn't available to the general public.

Because of that restriction, USAA isn't ranked with the others, but it was among the cheapest three auto insurance options for 70 of the 70 driver profiles we examined.

Minimum required auto insurance in D.C.

Drivers in Washington, D.C., must carry liability insurance, uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage (UMBI) and uninsured motorist property damage coverage (UMPD) in the following amounts:

  • $25,000 bodily injury liability per person.

  • $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident.

  • $10,000 property damage liability per accident.

  • $25,000 UMBI per person.

  • $50,000 UMBI per accident.

  • $5,000 UMPD per accident.

Keep in mind, a serious crash could easily cause damages that exceed these amounts, which is why it’s wise to buy more than the bare minimum that’s legally required.

Check out NerdWallet's guide to state car insurance requirements to learn more about the coverage limits on D.C. policies as well as optional coverages you might want to add.

Alternative car insurance in Washington, D.C.

If you have a checkered driving history, poor credit or other factors preventing you from getting traditional auto coverage, you can seek coverage through the District of Columbia Automobile Insurance Plan.

NerdWallet’s auto insurance comparison tool provides fast, easy quotes from many top companies.

Methodology

For our “good driver” profile, NerdWallet averaged insurance estimates for single male and female drivers with good credit and no tickets or violations. The analysis included 5-10 of the largest insurance companies in each state; smaller insurers were also included when rates were available. Liberty Mutual and its subsidiaries were excluded from our analysis as rates were not available.

For full coverage policies, we used the following coverage limits:

  • $100,000 bodily injury liability per person.

  • $300,000 bodily injury liability per accident.

  • $50,000 property damage liability per accident.

  • $100,000 uninsured motorist coverage per person.

  • $300,000 uninsured motorist coverage per accident.

  • Collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible.

  • Comprehensive coverage with a $1,000 deductible.

In states where required, minimum additional coverages were added. Some policies include additional coverages at the insurer’s discretion.

We used a 2021 Toyota Camry LE for all drivers and assumed 12,000 annual miles driven.

We analyzed rates for drivers 20 to 70 years old in ten-year increments. For the average cost of full and minimum coverage in each state, we looked at 35-year-old drivers.

We used the same assumptions for all other driver profiles, with the following exceptions:

  • For drivers with minimum coverage, we adjusted the numbers above to reflect the minimum required coverage by law in the state.

  • We changed the credit tier from “good” to “poor” as reported to the insurer to see rates for drivers with poor credit.

  • For drivers with one at-fault crash, we added a single at-fault crash that happened six months ago, resulting in $10,000 in property damage and no bodily injury claim.

  • For drivers with a DUI, we added a single drunken driving violation that happened six months ago.

We looked at 35-year-old drivers to find the cheapest company overall, the cheapest company for minimum coverage and the cheapest company for drivers with poor credit in states where credit history is used to price rates. We looked at 20-year-old drivers to find the cheapest company for young drivers.

These are rates generated through Quadrant Information Services. Your own rates will be different. Some insurance companies included in this article may have made changes in their underwriting practices and no longer issue new policies in your state.

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